L is for Love

Love is a topic that has fascinated writers for ages. Whether it is the main storyline, in books such as Pride and Prejudice, or a sub-plot in epic stories such as Star Wars, most stories include at least an element of romance.

So why is love such a popular topic? Well, we could go back to biological roots, and assume it's because the main drive for most species is to reproduce, but I think it's more than that.

Humans are social animals. We need others of our kind to survive, and thus what most of us desire, is to find someone who we can connect with on an intimate level. Most of us want to love and be loved. And something that is such a widespread need for the majority of people, makes fodder for great stories.

What do you think? Why is couples falling in love (whether it ends happily or not) such a popular topic? Do you prefer to have some love storylines in books and movies, or would you rather they were left out?

All this month I’m participating in the A-Z blogging challenge, writing a blog post for each letter of the alphabet, on every day of the month except Sundays. Check back regularly to see what else I have in store for you.

14 Comments

Kissing yesterday and Love today – Rinelle, you old romantic! Seriously, though, I think the main reason that Love permeates most stories at some level, is because we are fascinated with emotions and feelings and how they can affect people and the decisions they make. I think Love is ingrained in some way in all emotions and feelings – whether it’s grief, anger, humour, whatever – because that’s the thing that ties us all together.

Or maybe I’m just getting a little bit too profound for a Saturday afternoon. Good post anyway. Have a great weekend.

Great post Rinelle thank you! Brave too to put into a few words the basic drive or need that we have for love – did I read somewhere that the Inuit (Eskimos) have 49 words for love?
I agree with you – I am smiling – profound is good!
Hopping back to your K – methinks I missed it!
Have just posted my ‘L’ – it’s 2.43 p.m. and I need my lunch!

I’m fine with love stories existing for other audiences, though very few of them appeal to me. It seems most authors have the same ideas, patterns and tropes of love in mind, and so copy what they’ve seen way too much. An unusual love story, though, can be absolutely wonderful. Like Natural Born Killers, or less horribly, Rose and Bernard on Lost.

Although I think people are unaware of how much biology still affects us. For example, studies have shown that women prefer the scent of different men dependent on whether they’re on the pill or not!

Also, many relationships break up around the 7 year mark, which coincidentally is when there are chemical changes. Having a child resets the relationship for another 7 years.

The chemistry of love is a fascinating thing in and of itself. But yes, I think the companionship and friendship you can have with someone you love (and that doesn’t even begin to describe it, but I don’t have words to) transcends chemistry.

I think Love doesn’t have to be for another person to make a great story line: love of the natural world, love of country, love of an idea, all make great stories. As Wayne said (more eloquently than I can) it’s all about the emotional connection. We need to care about our protagonist and it’s easier to do that if you see him/her caring about something else.

I wish there was a like button so I could like this comment. You’ve expressed it so well. I totally agree that it’s easier to care about or protagonist if we see him or her caring about someone else. So true.

It’s such a powerful, emotional instinct. We spend our lives searching for it and feel very lucky if we receive it. Some believe we will die without it. A very dramatic element that’s perfect for expressing through novels, movies, art and songs.